What is the worst year for the Mazda RX-8?

The 2005 model has the highest complaint index at 100, driven mainly by Transmission & Powertrain and Engine complaints, followed by 2006 at an index of 83.

Is there a best year for the Mazda RX-8?

No RX-8 year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2008, 2009, and 2010, based on their lower complaint indexes of 33, 50, and 17.

Which years should I avoid buying?

NHTSA data flags 2005 and 2006 as Avoid years, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 and multiple Do Not Drive airbag recalls.

What are the most common problems across all RX-8 years?

Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead at 28% of all 294 complaints, followed by Airbags at 22% and Engine issues at 21%.

Does the RX-8 have recall issues?

Yes, NHTSA lists 9 total recall campaigns across the model's years, and most years include at least three Do Not Drive airbag recalls.

Mazda RX-8 Best and Worst Years (2005–2011)

The 2005 and 2006 Mazda RX-8 rank worst, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 and top complaints in transmission/powertrain and airbags. No RX-8 year earns a Good or Best verdict because every year carries recall campaigns; 2008, 2009 and 2010 have the lowest complaint indexes (33, 50, 17) among Caution years.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006Lowest-risk years:Caution 2008 Caution 2009 Caution 2010

Model years: 7; 2005–2011
NHTSA complaints: 294
Recall campaigns: 9
Crashes reported: 10
Fires reported: 5
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain

RX-8 Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Mazda RX-8 problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	100	162	6	1	6 !	Transmission & Powertrain	18	—
2006	Avoid	83	60	1	0	5 !	Airbags	18.5	—
2007	Caution	67	38	2	1	5 !	Airbags	18.5	—
2008	Caution	33	17	0	1	5 !	Airbags	18.5	—
2009	Caution	50	8	0	0	4 !	Engine	18.5	—
2010	Caution	17	5	0	0	4 !	Airbags	18.5	—
2011	No verdict	0	4	1	2	3 !	Fuel System	18.5	—

RX-8 years to avoid: what went wrong

2005 Mazda RX-8 Index 100 · 162 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2005 RX-8 has the highest complaint index (100) of any year and 162 total complaints, the most in the lineup. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 33% of its complaints, with a median failure mileage of 66,000, and Engine issues follow at 28% with a median mileage of 55,000. Owners also reported Airbag issues (14%, median 75,000 miles) and Steering complaints (10%, median 94,500 miles). NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for this year, three of them Do Not Drive airbag recalls, including inflators that can rupture.

2005 transmission & powertrain problems →2005 engine problems →2005 airbags problems →

2006 Mazda RX-8 Index 83 · 60 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2006 RX-8 has a complaint index of 83, the second-highest in the lineup, with 60 total complaints. Airbags are the top problem area at 28% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 70,200, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 22% (median 70,000 miles) and Engine at 15% (median 91,350 miles). NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for this year, three of them Do Not Drive airbag recalls tied to inflator rupture risk. Owners also reported sun visor failures and clutch pedal bracket breakage.

2006 airbags problems →

Most common Mazda RX-8 problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Transmission & Powertrain81 (28%)
Airbags64 (22%)
Engine63 (21%)
Fuel System33 (11%)
Steering31 (11%)
Other23 (8%)
Structure & Body18 (6%)
Electrical System16 (5%)
Visibility & Wipers14 (5%)
Brakes11 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What is the worst year for the Mazda RX-8?: The 2005 model has the highest complaint index at 100, driven mainly by Transmission & Powertrain and Engine complaints, followed by 2006 at an index of 83.
Is there a best year for the Mazda RX-8?: No RX-8 year earns a Good or Best verdict because every model year is capped by Do Not Drive or Park Outside recall campaigns. The lowest-risk years are 2008, 2009, and 2010, based on their lower complaint indexes of 33, 50, and 17.
Which years should I avoid buying?: NHTSA data flags 2005 and 2006 as Avoid years, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 and multiple Do Not Drive airbag recalls.
What are the most common problems across all RX-8 years?: Transmission & Powertrain complaints lead at 28% of all 294 complaints, followed by Airbags at 22% and Engine issues at 21%.
Does the RX-8 have recall issues?: Yes, NHTSA lists 9 total recall campaigns across the model's years, and most years include at least three Do Not Drive airbag recalls.